The Fellowship would support Professor Bowtell, one of the world’s leading ovarian cancer researchers. His work focuses on clinical problems of chemotherapy resistance and the development of new therapeutic approaches. His studies are underpinned by the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS), one of the world’s most sophisticated clinical cohort studies of ovarian cancer, with over 3000 Australian women enrolled.
Fatty Acid Elongation: A Novel Target For Prostate Cancer Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Lipids are a class of molecules that make up cell membranes and are an important source of energy for cells. Changes in lipids occur during prostate cancer progression, most prominently in a process called fatty acid elongation, which requires enzymes called elongases. This project will seek to better understand the consequences of lipid elongation in prostate cancer cells, its potential role in therapy resistance, and whether the elongase enzymes can be targeted as new therapies.
Understanding And Targeting Acquired Chemoresistance In High-grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,824.00
Summary
We recently discovered a mutation in recurrent high-grade serous ovarian cancer that causes profound overexpression of the multidrug resistance pump, MDR1 (Patch et al Nature 2015). In this study I will explore approaches to reverse drug resistance caused by this mutation in recurrent ovarian cancer with a view to utilising alternative treatments to improve patient outcomes.
Real-time Imaging Of Cell Cycle Progression In Melanoma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,911.00
Summary
Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer and is highly therapy resistant, reasons of which are poorly understood. Here we hypothesise that differences in the growth capacity of melanoma cells in different tumour regions contribute to therapy resistance. We will use a novel microscopic system that allows us to visualise division of individual melanoma cells in intact tumours in real time. Using this system, we will test the effects of targeted therapies on melanoma cell growth and survival.
Wnt-5a Signalling - A Novel Therapy For Triple Negative And Tamoxifen Resistant Breast Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,534.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Commonly used drugs target the estrogen receptor (ER). However, one third of breast cancer patients lack ER, and do not respond to treatment. Cancers that lack ER also lack a gene called Wnt5a, which is linked to better prognosis. We have shown that fixing Wnt5a can restore ER allowing cells to respond to Tamoxifen. We would now test this in animals, in the hope of developing a new drug for breast cancer patients currently with limited options.
Molecular Characterisation Of Serous Ovarian Cancer With Poor Clinical Outcome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,136.00
Summary
Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer in women, and most lethal gynaecologic malignancy. Despite aggressive surgery and multi-drug chemotherapy the majority of women experience recurrence and ~70% will succumb to the disease. This project will investigate two molecular subtypes of ovarian cancer previously identified by our laboratory to better understand mechanisms associated with poor treatment response.
Role Of The Inositol Polyphosphate 4-phosphatase Type 2 In Human Breast Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,032.00
Summary
Breast cancer is the most invasive cancer in females, affecting 1 in 9 women before the age of 85. Normally cells only divide when they receive a stimulus from a hormone or growth factor. The PI3K pathway responds to these stimuli and has been implicated in cancer when cells divide uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissue. We have identified a potential cancer suppressing gene, 4-ptase-2 that turns off the PI3K growth signals. We aim to characterize the role of 4-ptase-2 in breast cancer.